X said he loves Pac’s music but found the comparisons between their work a little off. “I’m not the next Pac, I’m the first X,” he said, recounting how the two were often compared when he first started gaining attention on albums like It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot. “I just want to make that really clear.”

While DMX established that he’s a legitimate hip-hop original himself, he maintains the utmost love for Pac’s history, music and cultural impact. “I do have a tremendous amount of respect for him and his music. I’m the first me,” he said.

He did note that the comparisons made sense because both rappers created an intimate, authentic connection with their fan bases. For both, speaking the truth and spitting in the face of authority was part of the path to creating great music. “I think it was more like what he brought to the table and what I brought to the table,” X said. “It was like, ‘We feel you like we feel him,’ so I took it as a sign of respect.